— A GM wheel speed sensor recall has been ordered for more than 675,000 vehicles because the sensors can fail and cause the vehicles to pull to one side due to unintended braking.
If a wheel speed sensor fails in these GM vehicles, the electronic brake control module software can activate the driveline protection system, causing unintended braking of the wheel on the opposite side.
- 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban
- 2015-2020 Chevrolet Tahoe
- 2015-2020 GMC Yukon
- 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- 2014-2018 GMC Sierra 1500
The recalled four-wheel-drive GM vehicles are equipped with 5.3-liter engines and 3.08-ratio rear axles.
According to General Motors, the electronic brake control module software error may cause the driveline protection system to engage when the vehicle is in four-wheel-drive or automatic mode, or when the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph.
A failed wheel speed sensor will also activate warning lights for the electronic stability control and anti-lock braking systems and a message will display, “Service StabiliTrak.”
A driver can avoid the problem by driving the vehicle in two-wheel-drive until the dealership performs recall repairs.
The automaker says the underlying cause of the problem relates to incorrect axle-ratio calibrations in the electronic brake control module which cause the module to incorrectly calculate the speed of a wheel with a failed speed sensor.
A GM dealer submitted a warranty report in May 2019 relating to a 2018 GMC Yukon that suffered from unexpected braking that made the vehicle pull to the left. In addition, the customer said the anti-lock brake warning light was illuminated and the incident occurred between 40 and 45 mph.
The vehicle was tested and engineers were able to duplicate the condition by disconnecting one of the wheel speed sensors.
GM and supplier ZF Active Safety conducted testing and isolated the problem to specific vehicles with 5.3-liter engines traveling in four-wheel-drive. More tests were performed on vehicles with 3.08-ratio rear axles, leading engineers to determine the condition occur only while the vehicles travel certain speeds.
The automaker doesn't know when the wheel speed sensor recall will begin, but dealerships will need to reprogram the electronic brake control modules.
More than 638,000 vehicles are recalled in the U.S. and 37,373 are recalled in Canada.
GM owners with questions should call Chevrolet customer service at 800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 800-462-8782. GM is using wheel speed sensor recall number N192261050.
- Chevrolet Suburban Complaints - 2015 / 2016 / 2017 / 2018 / 2019
- Chevrolet Tahoe Complaints - 2015 / 2016 / 2017 / 2018 / 2019
- GMC Yukon Complaints - 2015 / 2016 / 2017 / 2018 / 2019
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Complaints - 2014 / 2015 / 2016 / 2017 / 2018
- GMC Sierra 1500 Complaints - 2014 / 2015 / 2016 / 2017 / 2018
